Give me your opinion on Norris Lake fishing

[Daniel_Boone]

I grew up close to Norris Lake but never fished it much as a kid. I have since moved away from the area for a number of years and am planning a move back within the next year. I have a good friend who fishes the lake year around for smallies and say's Norris is becoming a great smallie fishery. This is encouraging to me. What do you all think about the small mouth fishing on Norris?

I like to smallie fish mainly in the winter but come spring/summer I like to fish for large mouth. I was reading about Norris large mouth fishing and someone referred to it as the 'dead sea'. I did a little more reading and found out there are aquatic/habitat problems due to the level of yearly water fluctuation (45 feet throughout the year.) For those of you that fish for large mouth what are your opinions on the status of the lake? At all the docks I go to I always see pictures of PIG large mouth so things can't be as bad as some say.

Lastly, I've heard there has been a reduction in crappie numbers, however, I know people from home that have a lot of success crappie fishing Norris. What are your opinions?

Thanks for posting guys, just trying to get the scoop on Norris before I move back. Regardless of what is said, I�m going to fish that lake to death!

 

[Gone Phishin]

I have caught several smallmouth over 5lbs. fishing for stripers in the winter months(all released). I would say there are some real nice smallies in Norris.

 

[stik]

i have personally never done much good on norris.

 

[SilverFox]

I've caught and seen a good many of both being caught... SM and LM. From what I hear, Norris is full of 4 and 5 pound SM due to the slot limit. I've not caught one that big yet but have seen them caught. Seems to be overloaded with spots. I can't comment on the crappie. I've fished for them one time and didn't catch any. Seems to be have a good many bream there.

 

[Daniel_Boone]

Yea, I hear its got some good smallie fishing. I guess I'm more curious about it's status as a large mouth fishery.

 

[Billboy]

Some days are better than others, but I consistently catch my largest fish on Norris. I may catch greater quantities elsewhere, but I'll take 1 5lb smallie over 5 1lb fish any day.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

I catch sm and lm consistently on Norris. haven't caught many big lm, but catch big sm pretty regularly. Once you learn the lake, it gets alot easier. I quit hopping from lake to lake, and leave my boat there now, so I have learned what areas to fish and what areas to bypass. It is tough fishing, but if you get in the right areas at the right times, you can wear them out. People that fish shallower murkier lakes have a real problem on Norris, just ask my neighbor. He is from florida, and I cant hardly get him to go with me any more because it frustrates him to no end. fact of the matter is Norris is Norris, and it can't be compared to other lakes because of its depth, clarity, and the fluctuations in water level. you simply have to learn to adapt to the different situations. i strongly suggest a GPS, a good sonar, and a notebook. trial and error learning over time will put you on some great fish.

 

[Daniel_Boone]

I catch sm and lm consistently on Norris. haven't caught many big lm, but catch big sm pretty regularly. Once you learn the lake, it gets alot easier. I quit hopping from lake to lake, and leave my boat there now, so I have learned what areas to fish and what areas to bypass. It is tough fishing, but if you get in the right areas at the right times, you can wear them out. People that fish shallower murkier lakes have a real problem on Norris, just ask my neighbor. He is from florida, and I cant hardly get him to go with me any more because it frustrates him to no end. fact of the matter is Norris is Norris, and it can't be compared to other lakes because of its depth, clarity, and the fluctuations in water level. you simply have to learn to adapt to the different situations. i strongly suggest a GPS, a good sonar, and a notebook. trial and error learning over time will put you on some great fish.

So LM fishing on Norris requires a lot of deeper fishing? Do you care to describe some of your methods and approaches? Thanks Diehard.

I have no experience LM fishing on Norris, thats why I ask.

 

[mike243]

the dead sea can be a pretty close name at times .the fish can be in a lot deeper water than you would think,i think a hypo needle is mandantory now in order to clear the swim bladder of air so they dont die.i dont bass fish any more but can point you in a direction to get all the info you need.
http://www.easttennesseefishing.com/index.php?

 

[Daniel_Boone]

Mike, thanks for the link! I was looking for some good info.